OSINTdefender
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🚨A CIA official confirming to me that Dir. Ratcliffe traveled to Cuba today.
I'm told Ratcliffe traveled to Havana to "initiate substantive discussions on the essential steps the Cuban regime must do to build a productive relationship with the United States."
Per the official tells me, "He emphasized that the U.S. is extending a genuine opportunity for collaboration, and—as evidenced by Venezuela—President Trump must be taken seriously."
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According to Barak Ravid, citing a CIA official, CIA Director John Ratcliffe met with Cuban Minister of Interior Lazaro Alvarez Casas and the head of Cuban intelligence, and discussed economic and security issues. However, per the report from Ravid, such cooperation will only be possible if Cuba makes a serious effort to deter U.S. adversaries from using Cuba as a springboard for U.S. adversaries, such as Russia and China.
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One thing that wasn’t mentioned, but was likely discussed, is the ongoing U.S. blockade of the embattled nation, which is now causing severe energy shortages, with the Cuban minister of energy stating just today that “we have absolutely no fuel, and absolutely no diesel.”
This meeting follows U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s announcement two days ago that “Cuba is asking for help, and we are going to talk!!!”
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Following a U.S. government plane seen leaving Havana, Cuba, CBS has learned that CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Cuba to meet with his Cuban counterpart in the Ministry of the Interior. Topics of discussion included Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism (SST) and recent comments by top U.S. officials that Cuba poses a national security threat.
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According to BBC, the vessel that the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said was taken to Iranian waters earlier today was a floating armory used by Chinese private military contractors in the local region who protect vessels from piracy. The vessel in question is the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan.
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During talks between the U.S. and China earlier today, both sides seemingly agreed on key issues on Iran. Most notably, that Iran cannot be allowed to charge tolls for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
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In remarks to the Senate Armed Services Committee this morning, the commanding officer of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, stated that in the 30 months before the launch of Operation Epic Fury, Iranian linked groups were responsible for more than 350 attacks injuring 200 Americans and killing 4.
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Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), will testify on force posture within his area of responsibility at a Senate posture hearing at 10am today.
Speaking to NBC News, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that current U.S. policy on Taiwan remains “unchanged.” Despite Chinese claims that a stern warning on the potential for escalation over Taiwan was delivered to the U.S. delegation during talks, Secretary Rubio said that arms sales and other issues centered on Taiwan were not discussed at length and the White House release on the meeting was devoid of any mention of Taiwan.
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We will provide an analysis on the much more lengthy Chinese release on the meeting later today.
Following the bilateral U.S.-China talks in Beijing, China earlier today, the White House has released a statement saying that the two delegations discussed issues such as market access into China, Chinese investment in U.S. industries, drugs, specifically fentanyl, the “free flow” of trade through the Strait of Hormuz, and other key issues.
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According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre, an incident occurred 38nm northeast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates where a vessel was boarded and taken to Iranian waters. This is likely another seizure of a vessel by the IRGC-N.
More to come.
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Following reports of smoke rising from the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Area, the Fujairah Media Office has said that the smoke is due to ongoing maintenance of a pipeline.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump arrives at China’s Great Hall of the People with Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state dinner just earlier. President Trump subsequently formally invited President Xi to the United States.
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RT @KellieMeyerNews: CEO’s Elon Musk, Jensen Huang and Tim Cook were spotted leaving the front entrance of the Great Hall of the People and…
As we have yet to hear of a presser afterwards and considering the many issues currently on the table, don’t expect these talks to be snappy and quick. There’s much to be hashed out now. As seen with past meeting with principal-decision-makers, one indicator that not much was gained could be a quick meeting with no presser afterwards.
We covered below some of what might be discussed as it pertains to Taiwan and Iran.
Give it a read!
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U.S. President Donald J. Trump speaks now, saying that he hopes that the U.S. and China can realize “reciprocal” deals on trade and other key areas of divergence between the two countries.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping gives an address now, saying that the U.S. and China have more commonalities than differences and urged more convergence on key areas of contention.
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The bilateral one-on-one+delegation talks between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and their respective delegations are now happening inside China’s Great Hall of the People, following the formal welcome ceremony.
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